Fantasy: Football 2012 Mock Draft 1.0

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees throws during the second half of an NFL wild card playoff football game against the Detroit Lions Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
— AP

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees throws during the second half of an NFL wild card playoff football game against the Detroit Lions Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
/ AP

One
8% (5)

Two
11% (7)

Three or more
55% (35)

None
27% (17)

64 total votes.

Every fantasy football season begins with a mock draft.

Whether you read it in a magazine, on your favorite website, in the newspaper or you sit down and do it yourself, a mock draft is the first time you conceptualize your team. Think Sir Isaac Newton and the fabled apple hitting his head.

In recent years, I've frequently used ESPN's and CBS' free mock draft engines to formulate my strategies. It's not a perfect exercise, but it allows you to cover the wall with spitballs. It also gives you a peek at what people from other leagues are doing.

Most fantasy leagues put snowflakes to shame. The differences range from subtle to hyper-partisan. This is good and bad. The positive is we can exchange ideas. The negative is sometimes we don't understand our differences, which can lead to frustration. Remember this is the internet. It's like the wild west, we've just exchanged Colt 45s with keyboards and mindless insults.

Despite the occasional numbskull, these online mock draft engines can help you establish a rhythm going into your draft. I fully recommend test driving your strategy by participating in one or a dozen.

Here's my first effort of the season, joined by eight humans and three computers hell-bent on stopping mankind from building the perfect fantasy team. At least that's how I imagine the computers picking first, second and ninth. I pick 10th since that's where I will pick during my draft in August (I finished third last season). My league's roster rules dictated I draft two quarterbacks, four running backs, four wide receivers, two tight ends, two defense/special teams, and two kickers.

Round One

(1) Team 1 - Arian Foster, RB, Texans

(2) Team 2 - LeSean McCoy, RB, Eagles

(3) Team Charlesworth - Ray Rice, RB, Ravens

(4) Team Glenn - Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers

(5) Team Kennedy - Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jaguars

(6) Team jay - Tom Brady, QB, Patriots

(7) Team hernandez - Chris Johnson, RB, Titans

(8) Team Chen - Ryan Mathews, RB, Chargers

(9) Team 9 - Calvin Johnson, WR, Lions

(10) Team Brown - Drew Brees, QB, Saints

(11) Team Thorpe - Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Cardinals

(12) Team adamson - Andre Johnson, WR, Texans

Round One analysis: Team Chen -- possibly ran by someone who's first name rhymes with Borv -- has bought the hype surrounding Mathews. He was one of six running backs taken in the first round. At this point, I only believe Foster, McCoy, Rice and MJD are guaranteed to be selected in the first. In some drafts, I could see quarterbacks Matthew Stafford and Cam Newton replacing Chris Johnson and Mathews in the opening round.

My Pick: My strategy was to take the best available quarterback. I chose Brees over Stafford and Newton because he's the more proven commodity. Exiled Saints coach Sean Payton is the best play-caller in the game, but Brees familiarity with offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael -- they go all the way back to Brees' Chargers days -- should hold the offense together. Also, I'm banking all the off-season turmoil will have a negative effect on the team, which means they won't be as good. Meaning they will pass even more than usual. A scary thought.

Round Two

(13) Team adamson - Matthew Stafford, QB, Lions

(14) Team Thorpe - Rob Gronkowski, TE, Patriots

(15) Team Brown - Roddy White, WR, Falcons

(16) Team 9 - Marshawn Lynch, RB, Seahawks

(17) Team Chen - Jimmy Graham, TE, Saints

(18) Team hernandez - Greg Jennings, WR, Packers

(19) Team jay - Brandon Marshall, WR, Bears

(20) Team Kennedy - Matt Forte, RB, Bears

(21) Team Glenn - Mike Wallace, WR, Steelers

(22) Team Charlesworth - Cam Newton, QB, Panthers

(23) Team 2 - Hakeem Nicks, WR, Giants

(24) Team 1 - Wes Welker, WR, Patriots

Round Two analysis: This round is all about the recent paradigm shift in the NFL. There were as many tight ends taken as running backs in the second. Only eight running backs taken through two rounds. Unless we're all playing in PPR leagues, this is fascinating. Only a few years ago, my league came down hard on one of its founders for taking Cowboys tight end Jason Witten in the second round. He was clearly ahead of his time. Personally, while I love Gronkowski and Graham, I'm still not taking them in the second round. Third round? Maybe.

My Pick: I actually do play in a PPR league, so pairing someone like White with Brees would be a great start, especially with so many running backs still on the board. I know some rumors have the Falcons refocusing on the run this off-season. I don't buy it. Matt Ryan is entering his prime, and has more weapons than an Expendables movie.

Round Three

(25) Team 1 - DeMarco Murray, RB, Cowboys

(26) Team 2 - Jamaal Charles, RB, Chiefs

(27) Team Charlesworth - Trent Richardson, RB, Browns

(28) Team Glenn - A.J. Green, WR, Bengals

(29) Team Kennedy - Eli Manning, QB, Giants

(30) Team jay - Darren McFadden, RB, Raiders

(31) Team hernandez - Michael Vick, QB, Eagles

(32) Team Chen - Julio Jones, WR, Falcons

(33) Team 9 - Steven Jackson, RB, Rams

(34) Team Brown - Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings

(35) Team Thorpe - Michael Turner, RB, Falcons

(36) Team adamson - Victor Cruz, WR, Giants

Round Three analysis: The running backs struck back with a vengeance over a bridge on the river Kwai. I apologize, I lost control of the previous sentence. Seven come off the board, unfortunately the ones I wanted were gone before I picked. Oh, the perils of picking at the corners. If most drafts play out like this mock, the third round could decide a lot of championships. If owners get first round stats from Murray, Charles, McFadden and Peterson -- all returning from injury -- after drafting an elite quarterback and receiver in the first two rounds, watch out.

My Pick: I took on a lot of risk this mock. Peterson, obviously, is the best running back in the game when healthy, so it would be hard to pass on him this late in the third round. Vikings coach Leslie Frazier recently said they planned to "tread lightly" with All Day. His situation is certainly something to monitor through training camp and the preseason.

Round Four

(37) Team adamson - Fred Jackson, RB, Bills

(38) Team Thorpe - Frank Gore, RB, 49ers

(39) Team Brown - Dez Bryant, WR, Cowboys

(40) Team 9 - Roy Helu, RB, Redskins

(41) Team Chen - Miles Austin, WR, Cowboys

(42) Team hernandez - Darren Sproles, RB, Saints

(43) Team jay - Jordy Nelson, WR, Packers

(44) Team Kennedy - Steve Smith, WR, Panthers

(45) Team Glenn - Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, Giants

(46) Team Charlesworth - Willis McGahee, RB, Broncos

(47) Team 2 - Tony Romo, QB, Cowboys

(48) Team 1 - Marques Colston, WR, Saints

Round Four analysis: Those passing on the Top Five quarterbacks could make a move for the second tier here. Team 2 a.k.a. Skynet chose Romo, which is a solid value in the fourth round. Peyton Manning and Philip Rivers -- they both go off the board in Round Five -- could also be targeted this round. Of the six running backs taken, my favorite is Helu (and not because he makes it easy for me to watch Community and Family Guy whenever I want). It's scary to own a Mike Shanahan-coached running back, but Helu is probably his best since Terrell Davis. Considering he has a rookie quarterback and set a Redskins record for receptions in a game (14) last season against the 49ers, I expect a breakout campaign in D.C.

My Pick: Dez Bryant will be the Cowboys best receiver this season. The Year Three rule with wide receivers is in play here, but especially if said receiver tied for sixth in the NFL in receiving TDs the previous season. Of all non-top tier receivers, he and Demaryius Thomas -- Thomas went in the next round -- have the best shot at becoming elite options this season.

Round Five

(49) Team 1 - Peyton Manning, QB, Broncos

(50) Team 2 - Brandon Lloyd, WR, Patriots

(51) Team Charlesworth - Vincent Jackson, WR, Buccaneers

(52) Team Glenn - Reggie Bush, RB, Dolphins

(53) Team Kennedy - BenJarvus Green-Ellis, RB, Bengals

(54) Team jay - Percy Harvin, WR, Vikings

(55) Team hernandez - Jeremy Maclin, WR, Eagles

(56) Team Chen - Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers

(57) Team 9 - Antonio Gates, TE, Chargers

(58) Team Brown - Vernon Davis, TE, 49ers

(59) Team Thorpe - Demaryius Thomas, WR, Broncos

(60) Team adamson - Jonathan Stewart, RB, Panthers

Round Five analysis: There's some excellent value in this round. Manning and Rivers are both capable of being elite. So are Gates and Davis at their respective position. Both Thomas and Lloyd could finish as Top 10 receivers depending on how they mesh with their quarterback. Green-Ellis is an underrated touchdown machine (13 in 2010 and 11 in 2011). Bernard Scott will not challenge him in Cincinnati.

My Pick: I love me some VD. Wait, that doesn't sound right. Davis admitted he struggled with 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh's playbook for most of 2011. Well, it certainly looked like something clicked in the playoffs. There's no doubt Gronkowski and Graham are the top two at the position. I would put Davis at No. 3.

Round Six

(61) Team adamson - Dwayne Bowe, WR, Chiefs

(62) Team Thorpe - Shonn Greene, RB, Jets

(63) Team Brown - Jahvid Best, RB, Lions

(64) Team 9 - Steve Johnson, WR, Bills

(65) Team Chen - Beanie Wells, RB, Cardinals

(66) Team hernandez - Jason Witten, TE, Cowboys

(67) Team jay - Isaac Redman, RB, Steelers

(68) Team Kennedy - Antonio Brown, WR, Steelers

(69) Team Glenn - Ben Tate, RB, Texans

(70) Team Charlesworth - DeSean Jackson, WR, Eagles

(71) Team 2 - Michael Bush, RB, Bears

(72) Team 1 - Eric Decker, WR, Broncos

Round Six analysis: I remember when all the starting running backs were gone by Round Three. The one guy in this round I will never draft again is Shonn Greene. If he was going to breakout, it would have already happened. Now, he'll have Tim Tebow hawking goal line carries as well. In my best Dana Carvey doing George H.W. Bush: Not gonna do it. Wouldn't be prudent.

My Pick: Risk, risk and more risk. Concussions and turf toe have limited Best, but he's still managed to show glimpses of the all-purpose game we know he possesses. I can see the Lions potentially mimicking the Saints and how they use Darren Sproles. If only he can stay healthy.

Round Seven

(73) Team 1 - Aaron Hernandez, TE, Patriots

(74) Team 2 - Kenny Britt, WR, Titans

(75) Team Charlesworth - C.J. Spiller, RB, Bills

(76) Team Glenn - DeAngelo Williams, RB, Panthers

(77) Team Kennedy - Jermichael Finley, TE, Packers

(78) Team jay - Doug Martin, RB, Buccaneers

(79) Team hernandez - Donald Brown, RB, Colts

(80) Team Chen - Stevan Ridley, RB, Patriots

(81) Team 9 - Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers

(82) Team Brown - Malcom Floyd, WR, Chargers

(83) Team Thorpe - Torrey Smith, WR, Ravens

(84) Team adamson - Matt Ryan, QB, Falcons

Round Seven analysis: Donald Brown is a steal in Round Seven. Like Helu, His pass-catching ability should come in handy for a rookie quarterback looking to dump the ball off. My gut tells me this former first-rounder is a feature back and will break out this season.

My Pick: Familiarity has to count for something, right? Outside of a healthy Gates, Floyd should be Rivers primary target. I know people are excited to see what Robert Meachem can do in Turner's offense, but I anticipate Floyd will slide into Vincent Jackson's role. A downfield playmaker who can outjump defenders, his skills are more reminiscent of Jackson's.

Round Eight analysis: Only the 49ers defense and special teams mothers rival my love for them, but I would not take any defense this high. Maybe the death machines, um, computers know something I don't. Also, I'm not sure how Jon Kitna got drafted. A cruel joke by the machine if there ever was one.

My Pick: I will certainly look to try and implement a less risky strategy as far as running backs are concerned in future mocks. Although, like Peterson and Best, the sky is the limit if Ingram stays healthy. Foot injuries (heel, turf toe) held him back last season. If he gets those cleared up, all the hype he entered the league with is still in play.

Round Nine

(97) Team 1 - Santonio Holmes, WR, Jets

(98) Team 2 - Jared Cook, TE, Titans

(99) Team Charlesworth - Justin Blackmon, WR, Jaguars

(100) Team Glenn - Toby Gerhart, RB, Vikings

(101) Team Kennedy - Lance Moore, WR, Saints

(102) Team jay - James Starks, RB, Packers

(103) Team hernandez - Jay Cutler, QB, Bears

(104) Team Chen - Anquan Boldin, WR, Ravens

(105) Team 9 - Ravens D/ST

(106) Team Brown - Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Lions

(107) Team Thorpe - Texans D/ST

(108) Team adamson - David Wilson, RB, Giants

Round Ten

(109) Team adamson - Sidney Rice, WR, Seahawks

(110) Team Thorpe - Shane Vereen, RB, Patriots

(111) Team Brown - Daniel Thomas, RB, Dolphins

(112) Team 9 - Robert Griffin III, QB, Redskins

(113) Team Chen - Felix Jones, RB, Cowboys

(114) Team hernandez - Pierre Thomas, RB, Saints

(115) Team jay - Reggie Wayne, WR, Colts

(116) Team Kennedy - Josh Freeman, QB, Buccaneers

(117) Team Glenn - Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Redskins

(118) Team Charlesworth - Titus Young, WR, Lions

(119) Team 2 - Alex Smith, QB, 49ers

(120) Team 1 - Andy Dalton, QB, Bengals

Round Eleven

(121) Team 1 - Bernard Scott, RB, Bengals

(122) Team 2 - Mason Crosby, K, Packers

(123) Team Charlesworth - Mike Tolbert, RB, Panthers

(124) Team Glenn - Jacob Tamme, TE, Broncos

(125) Team Kennedy - Rueben Randle, WR, Giants

(126) Team jay - Laurent Robinson, WR, Jaguars

(127) Team hernandez - LeGarrette Blount, RB, Buccaneers

(128) Team Chen - Mike Williams, WR, Buccaneers

(129) Team 9 - Sebastian Janikowski, K, Raiders

(130) Team Brown - Joe Flacco, QB, Ravens

(131) Team Thorpe - Nate Washington, WR, Titans

(132) Team adamson - Owen Daniels, TE, Texans

Round Twelve

(133) Team adamson - Eagles D/ST

(134) Team Thorpe - Carson Palmer, QB, Raiders

(135) Team Brown - Randy Moss, WR, 49ers

(136) Team 9 - Mario Manningham, WR, 49ers

(137) Team Chen - Seahawks D/ST

(138) Team hernandez - Steelers D/ST

(139) Team jay - Jets D/ST

(140) Team Kennedy - Stephen Gostkowski, K, Patriots

(141) Team Glenn - Sam Bradford, QB, Rams

(142) Team Charlesworth - Greg Little, WR, Browns

(143) Team 2 - Michael Floyd, WR, Cardinals

(144) Team 1 - Dan Bailey, K, Cowboys

Rounds Nine through Twelve analysis: Best picks: Jared Cook (No. 98), Jay Cutler (No. 103), and Michael Floyd (No. 143). Four kickers were chosen. That's four too many. Depending on your league, always draft defense and kickers last. Both positions fluctuate too much year to year. Trust me, your league isn't going to be decided because you have the best defense/special teams or kicker. You will win because you have depth that protects you from the certain injuries and the most players with career seasons.

My Picks: I love me some Pettigrew (No. 106). That doesn't sound so nasty. My goal is to get two top notch tight ends, that aren't Gronkowski or Graham. Pettigrew, like VD, could join the wonder twins this season as the best at their position. Daniel Thomas (No. 111) is my fourth running back I drafted that was injured last season. Seriously, what is wrong with me? Joe Flacco (No. 130) will be involved in a shootout with Dallas on Brees bye week. If you draft an elite quarterback, simply draft a backup with a great matchup on the elite QBs bye. I'm drinking the kool-aid on Randy Moss (No. 135). By all accounts he's engaged. If Harbaugh keeps him that way, then the NFL is in trouble. Of course, if he doesn't, here comes the train wreck.

My Picks: The Packers (No. 154) and Cowboys (No. 159) both have elite playmakers on defense. Not every defense is the Ravens or Niners, so I usually look for teams with elite guys, because you know you will get plays out of them no matter what. An example would be drafting the Bills (No. 171) because of Mario Williams. Neil Rackers (No. 178) and Mike Nugent (No. 183) are kickers and required. Nuff said.